Pensacola council set to hire $95K attorney

After years of squabbling with the mayor and city attorney, Pensacola city council members are set to hire their own attorney at an annual salary of $95,000.

City Council president Charles Bare is asking council members to approve a contract with attorney Carol Leone at their August 11 meeting. In addition to salary, Leone’s proposed contract would provide participation in the state retirement program, 27 days of annual paid time off, and three months’ severance.

Voters approved an amendment to the city’s charter in 2014 that allows the council to hire its own staff members. Since then, council members have hired an executive and two assistants. Hiring Leone would increase the council staff’s overall payroll to nearly $300,000.

Currently in private practice, Leone has previously served as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego and has worked for the Florida Department of Revenue. Leone is a member of the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association.